Active ray treating device



Dec. 17, 1935.

H. M. CRE IGHTON ET AL ACTIVE RAY TREATING DEVICE Original Fild Jan. '2. 1950 e Sheets-Sheet 1 I ll awuentow 64mm 01. Gee/am [ow/m0 C. Bar/m7 H. M. CREIGHTON ET AL 2,024,207

ACTIVE RAY TREATING DEVICE Original Filed Jan. 2, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 awweutozo' IYARRY M. Cke/azrra/v 851 61mm am 7* MW 1935' H. M. CREIGHTON ET AL 2,024,207

ACTIVE RAY TREATING DEVICE Original Filed Jan. 2, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 as as 54 $51 abtowu 1935- H. M. CREIGHTON ET AL 2,024,207

' ACTIVE RAY TREATING DEVICE Original Filed Jan. 2; 1930 e Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 5. 107

, auventow l/ARRY/ii Chas/r70 17, 935- H. M. CREIGHTQN ET AL 2,0 4, 07

ACTIVE RAY TREATING DEVICE Original Filed Jan. 2, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 anomtow Mmr m. Caner/row [ownno C'BER/VDT 1935 H. M. CREIGHTON El AL 7 ACTIVE RAY TREATING DEVICE Original Filed Jan. 2, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 14 I |I '1 T'| T h i ii /66 I L 'J awvemtow is frequently desirable to treat milk, oils, mm;

Patented Dec. 17, 1935 UNITED- STATES ACTIVE RAY TREATING DEVICE Harry M. Creighton, East Norwalk, and Edward C. Berndt, Norwalk, Conn, assignors to The R. U. V. Engineering Corporation, South Norwalk, Com, a corporation of Delaware Application January 2, 1930, Serial No. 418,027

Renewed ltlarch 14, 1935 25 Claims. (01. 99-2) The present invention relates to the treatment of substances by active rays in such manner that the substance has imparted thereto or acquires certain desired characteristics, usually those possessed or induced by the ray or rays utilized for the treatment. More particularly, the invention embodies an improved apparatus for the treatment of substances in the above manner, such apparatus affording a means of effectively activating all portions of the substance treated without requiring such manual supervision as to require the exercise of personal judgment in the matter of the character of the travel of the substance with respect to the source of active rays, or the length of time such substance is exposed to the influence of the ray or rays.

It is generally known and commonly understood that active rays, such, for example as ultraviolet rays or other radiations from a source of ultra-violet light have certain marked effects on substances, such eifects varying with the time the substances are exposed to the rays. While certain desirable properties may be imparted to the substances upon a predetermined length of exposure to the rays, such eil'ects may be utterly destroyed and the substance itself spoiled by an excess of exposure. Since the distance of the substance from the source of active rays also is a determining factor in the character of the activation thereof, care must be taken to insure a uniform exposure of all portions of the substance to the source and to avoid over exposure of the portion of the'substance proximate the source and under exposure of the remote portions thereof.

In the treatment of opaque or partially opaque substances, either in the liquid, solid or' gaseous state, this uniform exposure is extremely difiicult and has prevented the successful treatment of these substances commercially. For example, it

juice, grains, cereals, water and other substances with active rays, not only to eflect the sterilization or partial sterilization thereof, but to impart Suf-.

certain physiological properties thereto. ficlent "exposure, for example, of fruit juice, effects sterilization thereof and kills the organisms therein. Heretofore this has been tried by others by exposing a thin layer or film of the substance to the source of active rays in order that the rays may penetrate the entire body of the substance. In the treatment of thin films of opaque substances however, the side of the film nearest the light source is very apt to be over-treated in an effort to properly treat the portion of the substance on the side of the film remote from the source and particularly so where the substance is treated as hereinafter described .withhigh intensity active rays. It will at once be apparent that the proximate portions of the substance are exposed to a greater degree than the remote portions thereof. Not only is there danger of over exposure of portions of the substance, but a gas such as ozone, generated by the source frequently acts upon the substance and effects undesirable changes therein.

. v A further factor in the treatment of some subsults in the burning of the substance and causes it 15 to stick thereto, thus obstructlns the useful rays and causing grave danger of explosions.

In order to enable the maximum number of beneficial short waves to be used, the undesirable waves are filtered out, or excluded. The radia- 2o tions of the infra red and visible'spectrum have very little effect in producing certain chemical reactions and bactericidal effects, whereas the radiations of the ultra-violet region of the spectrum have a very marked effect. Thus the heat caused 25 by the absorption of the infra red rays frequently spoils the substance, while certain rays in the 111- tra-violet region cause orsanisms to grow and others in such region kill them. The proper use of the foregoing rays is accomplished by the se- 30 lective radiation of rays from a source of active 'rays, the undesirable rays being filtered out or obstructed while the desirable rays are passed to act upon thesubstance.

In addition to the foregoing, the invention is a;

concerned with the provision of an improved apparatus in which the tubes of quartz, or other substance are mounted in such. manner that the fluid tight packing supporting the same is preserved for long periods'of time the packing be- (0 ing shielded to prevent the usual deleterious.ef-

fects thereon by the treating rays. This is particularly important where highly intensified short 7 waves are used, since the tubes are positioned as near the source as possible to utilize the maxi- 5 mum efiect thereof which varies approximately inversely as the square of the distance from the source.

Soft rubber has been found to be the most'satisfactory substance to pack the ioints'between 50 the tubes and treating chambers but rapid deteriora'tion thereof results when it is exposed to the heat and light of the source. To overcome the difliculties experienced in packing the tubes, it

is proposed to insulate such packing from the 5s heat and light, the preferred form embodying, in effect, a cooling and insulating jacket for the packing, in certain forms the cooling or insulatin'g being effected by the substance being treated.

In order to effect the selective radiation de- Since the greatest amount of short rays 10 scribed above more fully, it is proposed to mount two or more tubes of quartz or other suitable substance concentrically to form separate closed or fluid'tight chambers. Supplemental supporting walls are provided to carry the tubes and access to the chambers is afiorded by means of suitable connections to permit the introduction and withdrawal of the substances treated or the cooling or insulating or filtering medium.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a device for treating substances by active rays, such device effectively activating all portions of the substance without depending upon the accuracy of personal supervision to activate the substance uniformly.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the above character in which the time of exposure of all portions of a substance is accurately controlled and regulated within the device and without the aid of personal supervision.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device which efiectively activates or treats substances of opaque or semi-opaque character, as well as substances bearing solids in suspension.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the above character in which the injurious heating is overcome, at the same time causing the substance to pass in close proximity to the source of active rays.

A further object of the invention is to provide a means for filtering out or obstructing the undesirable long rays of the spectrum which produce heating while permitting a maximum of short rays to pass into the treated substance.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device to effect selective radiation from a source of active rays.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved mounting for tubes of quartz or other suitable material which serve as enclosures for sources of active rays. 1

A further object of the invention is to provide a mounting of the above character in which the packing is shielded and protected from the A further object of the invention is to provide I an improved packing of the above character in which the substance treated serves as a shield or cooling means for the packing material to preserve the life thereof.

Further objects, not specifically enumerated above, will be apparent as the invention is described in greater detail in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in vertical section, taken through the axis of a device for treating substances with active rays, such device being constructed in accordance withthe present invention.

Figure 2 is. a view in end elevation, partly broken away and in section, showing the device of Figure 1.

Figure -3 is an enlarged view in section, taken through a modified form of treating device, such device being constructed in such manner that a plurality of successive chambers are provided between the source of active rays and the substance treated, thus affording a means for selecting the character of radiation from the source of rays more effectively.

Figure 4 is a view in section, taken through the axis of a further modified form of the invention, the source of rays being enclo'sed in tubes which are mounted at one end only.

enclosure 5.

Figure 5 is a view in section, showing a still further modification of the invention in which the enclosure for the source of active rays is mounted in such manner as to shield the packing therefor.

Figure 6 is a view in section, showing a device similar to Figure 5 but mounting the enclosure at one end only.

Figures 7, 8, and 9, show further modified structures in which a plurality of enclosures are 10 concentrically mounted.

Figure 10 is a view in section, taken transverse to the axis of a device constructed in a modified manner but embodying the principles of the present invention.

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 10, showing a further modified device in which the path of the substance treated lies adjacent the enclosure for the source of active rays over an extended portion thereof.

Figure 12 is a view partly in section, showing a system for treating a substance continuously from a source of active rays.

Figure 13 is a view showing a plurality of active ray treating devices connected in tandem to effect the progressive treating of a substance.

Figure 14 is a view showing a further modified treating device in which a plurality of reservoirs are provided to supply a substance to be treated to the treating chambers under the force of gravity, such substance being carried away in a like manner.

Referring to the above drawings, a cylindrical chamber is shown at I having a peripheral cylindrical wall 2 and end walls] and 4'. Openings |3a and Na afford a means for intro'ducng a substance into the chamber and effecting the withdrawal of the substance therefrom. A supplemental wall 32 is carried by the wall 4, being secured wtihin an annular recess 4', formed upon 40 the outer surface of the wall 4. Cylindrical bores I are formed in the wall 3 and supplemental wall 32, these bores being adapted to receive a cylindrical tube 5 of quartz or other suitable material. Annular recesses 8, formed in the walls 3 and 32, receive annular packings 9, these packings being secured in position by glands in in an obvious manner. The cylindrical enclosure 5 is of such size as to afford a degree of clearance between the outer portion thereof and the bores 1, thus providing a'type cooperative relationship between the enclosure and walls 3 and 32, which has been found desirable.

A plurality of radial bailles ii are formed within the housing I and extend inwardly to .35

lie adjacent to a rotatable cage l2 carrying baflies 1 I I3 which are adapted to align with bailies. II. This cage is rotated by means of gears l4 and. shaft ii to clean the surface of the cylindrical Since the subject matter of this -0 cleaning mechanism forms the basis of a separate application, Serial Number 336,807, filed February 1, 1929, further description thereof is believed unnecessary herein. It will thus be seen that the flow of fluid, or substance to be -5 treated, is restricted by the bailles and. the substance is thus coursed through the chamber l in acircuitous route repeatedly coming into close proximity with the enclosure 5.

The foregoing description is directed to a 7 structure which provides an enclosed chamber 1 and a chamber 6 within the cylindrical closure 5. As stated hereinbefore, it is frequently desirable to provide a means for selecting the radiation from the source of active rays in addition to efiectlng the cooling of the packings carrying the tube 5. Such selective irradiation may be effected by using different solutions of filtering substances in the cooling medium, so as to adapt said medium for simultaneous cooling and flltering. For example solutions of copper sulphate and lead acetate may be used. A second enclosure IB is therefore provided within which a mercury vapor lamp or othersource of active rays is mounted. Tilting mechanism for the lamp is shown at l8 and forms no part of the present invention. Within an annular recess l9 formed on the outer surface of the wall 3, the cylindrical flange 2|! of a supporting member 2| is received. Packing 22 is provided to seal the joint between the supporting member and wall 3 and an annular recess 23 is provided in the outer portion of the supporting member to receive packing 24. This packing supports the tube l and is secured in position by means of a gland 25. The tube 5 is flared outwardly at 25 and is formed with a reversely extending cylindrical portion 21 which is engaged by the packing 24. The reentrant structure at the end of tube |5 thus affords a chamber between the packing 24 and the source of active rays Within this chamber a suitable fluid may flow to effect the cooling of the joint or to obstruct the flow of the long rays of the spectrum.

The other end of enclosure I5 is mounted in a supporting member 25 which is similar in construction to the supporting member 2|. The cylindrical flange 29 is mounted over a corresponding flange 30 on the supplemental wall 32, packing 3| affording the desired joint between supporting member 23 and supplemental wall 32.

The supporting member 25 is secured to the supplemental wall by means of bolts 33 in a well known fashion and carries packing 24 and gland 25 in a manner similar to the corresponding elements described in connection with the mounting of the other end of the tube It.

A supply pipe 34 communicates with the chamber 5 formed between the concentric tubes 5 and I5 to introduce a substance thereinto Pipes 35, connected at either end of the chamber and upon the side thereof opposite from the pipe 34, carry away the substance and prevent stagnant pockets being formed in such chamber in which portions of the substance may lodge.

Supplemental chambers 35 and 31 may be formed on the cylindrical housing to enclose the source of active rays and the speciflc structural characteristics of the device, apart from the elements described, may conform to the usual practice in this art.

It will be noted more particularly from Figs. 1 and 2 that the distance between the edges of the baffles, which terminate in the portion l3 of Fig. 2, and the quartz tube or enclosure 5 (see Fig. l) is obviously such that the layer of substance being exposed is of'substantial thickness if the substance exposed at this point is opaque or substantially opaque such .as milk. It is further more obvious to those skilled in the art that the rays will penetrate such a substance thus not only treating proximate or surface por-.

tions but all parts of the layer. In the normal operation of'the apparatus portions of the substance are successively treated, the treated or proximate portions of the substance then being mixed with the untreated or remote portions thereof. V

In Figure 3 there is shown a modified con- 5 struction in which a chamber 5| is formed with side walls 52 and 53. Supply and exhaust pipes 55 and 54 respectively afford means for supplying a substance to the chamber 5| continuously.. Annular recesses 55 are formed in the walls 52 and 53, in the outer sides thereof and receive packing 51 which is secured in position by means of glands 55. This packing engages a tube 59 of quartz or other suitable substance, a chamber 50 thus being formed within the tube 59 and between the inner surface thereof and a second concentric tube 5|.

Supporting plates 52, formed with cylindrical flanges 53, are mounted upon opposite ends of the tube 5| through packing 54. This packing is received within recesses 55, formed in the outer portions of the supporting members 52 and secured in position by means of glands 55. The packing thus securely engages the ends of tube 5| and supports the members 52 thereon. Suitable packing 51 affords a tight connection between the flanges 53 and the respective walls 52 and 53 and thus affords a fluid tight chamberincluding the chamber 59. Supply and exhaust pipes 58 are provided for introducing a suitable medium into the chamber 59, and carrying the same away therefrom after having served its purpose.

A third concentric tube 10 is mounted within the tube 5| to afford a third chamber 59. This tube is mounted in supporting members II which carry packing I2 secured to the ends of the tube by means of glands I3. The manner of securing these elements is generally similar to that described in connection with the corresponding elements for mounting tubes 59 and 5| and further description thereof is believed unnecessary. Packing l4 affords a tight connection between the cylindrical flange 15 of the supporting member H and the adjacent surface of the supporting member 52. Supply and exhaust pipes 15 afford a means for introducing a desired medium into the chamber 59 and effecting the withdrawal thereof. It will be seen, from the abovedescription, that substances of any desired character may be introduced in the respective chambers. For example, a substance to be treated by a desired type of active ray may be introduced and e withdrawn from the chamber 5| continuously through the inlet and outlet 54. In order to select the type of ray with which'such substance is treated, a suitable medium may be introduced within chamber 50 to obstruct certain undesirable'rays. Additionally, a medium may be introduced into the chamber 59 to obstruct other 60 undesirable rays or effect the cooling of the entire mechanism. While the foregoing description is directed to one'particular use of the appa-' ratus described it will be readily apparent that the successive chambers may be used in any desired fashion, depending upon the circumstances surrounding the individual cases.

Figure 4 shows a modified construction in which concentric tubes 30 and 5| are mounted in one wall only of a chamber, this wall being indicated at 52. The ends of the tubes are closed and tube 5| is mounted within a cylindrical bore 93 and supported by packing 54 which'is secured in position by a gland ,55. A cylindrical shoulder 55 receives a cylindrical flange 33 of a supporting vided within tube 80 to afford a source of active rays and the chamber 95, between the tubes 80 and 8|, has a suitable substance applied thereto and withdrawn therefrom by means of pipes 96. It will be seen that this construction is particularly adaptable to chambers in large containers or to open flumes where only one wall is available for installing the treating mechanism.

It will be observed, in connect'on with the devices described herein, that the source of active rays, in each case a mercury vapor lamp, has been disposed coaxial with respect to the enclosures and treating chambers. This results in the maximum selective radiation of the source into the chambers and is preferable in commercial structures. It will be understood, of course, that other dispositions of the source may be made to good purpose and the source of light, itself, may be that which is suitable to the purposes desired to be accomplished. The disposition of the elements is only relative, it being obvious that the parts may be oriented in any desired manner to eifect the purposes described.

With reference to Figure 5, a modified device is shown in which a housing I is formed with end walls IOI. These end walls are formed with annular recesses I02 within which packing I03 is received. Packing glands I04 secure the packing in position and force it outwardly against reentrant cylindrical extensions I05 of a tube I06. The reentrantportions I05 form chambers between the packing and the source of active rays to prevent the rays from having a deleterious effect upon the packing and thus preserve the life of the latter. Connections I01 and I0'IA afford means respectively for introducing and withdrawing a suitable substance from the chamber I08 within the housing, and a mercury vapor lamp is indicated at I09.

The reversely extending cylindrical portions I05 are formed in such manner that they do not extend into the chamber I08 beyond the side walls IOI thereof. In this manner, they do not cut off any more useful radiations than the walls IOI themselves and the depth of the recesses formed between the reentrant portions I05 and the tube I 06 is sufficient to extend beyond the outer edges of the packing I03. .The liquid to be treated fills the chamber I08 and the recesses above mentioned and thereby absorbs the direct heat radiations from the lamp -which pass through the tube I05. Additionally, the heat from this lamp is conducted away from the packing and thus is prevented from afiecting the same deleteriously. When fluids quitetransparent to ultra-violet rays are to be treated, suitable metallic or other bands IIO may be inserted in the recesses between the reentrant portions I05 tend the tube I06, these bands being conveniently supported to cut oil ultra-violet radiation which may penetrate the liquid in such recesses and deteriorate the packing I03.

Figure 6 illustrates a modified construction similar to Figure 5 but in which the tube III is closed at one end and supported in a wall II2. This wall may be formed with a recess H3 and a cylindrical bore II4, packing I I5 being secured in position by means of a gland II 6. The tube is formed with a reentrant portion I I1, thus providing a recess H8 between the reentrant portion and the tube III. A metallic band II9 may 5 be inserted in the recess I I8 to protect the packing H5 when a fluid highly transparent to ultraviolet rays is treated. The foregoing construction is adaptable for use in instances similar to those in which the device shown in Figure 4 is 10 used and further description is believed unnecessary.

In the construction shown in Figure '7, a supporting wall I 20 carries a gland I2I between which and the supporting wall I20, packing I22 is secured. Concentric tubes I23 abut against the packing and are secured in position by means of the pressure exerted upon the packing by the gland I2I. In this manner, the chamber I24, between the tubes I23, is rendered fluid tight and a. suitable substance may be introduced therein in a manner similar to that described in connection with the construction shown in Figure 3.

In Figure 8, the supporting wall I20 and gland I2I mount a packing I25 which is formed with 25 concentric annular recesses I26. The ends of tubes I23 are received within the recess I26 and thus form a fluid tight chamber I24 therebetween.

Figure 9 is descriptive of a further modiflcation in which the supporting wall I20 mounts a packing I21 between a flange I28 in the wall and. a packing gland I29. An annular recess I 30 is formed in the packing I21 and receives the end of a tube I3I. A supporting member I32 is formed with a cylindrical flange I33 which overlies a correspondingly formed flange I34 on the mounting wall I20 and affords a desired connection between the supporting wall and the member I32. Concentric flange I35 carries packing I36 which receives the end of a tube I31 and a bolt I38 secures the elements in assembled position. In this manner, the desired chamber I24 is provided between the tubes I3I and I31.

With reference to Figure 10, a modified device is shown for treating a substance in a comparatively thin film. with the desired active rays. Where the substance is opaque or partially opaque, it is necessary, as described hereinbefore, to treat all portions thereof uniformly. It is contemplated to eilect the successive treating of portions of substances of this character, such treated portions being mixed with untreated portions between the successive treating steps in order that the resulting process provides a substance which is relatively uniformly treated. Thus, in Figure 10, a container I50, shown as cylindrical, is provided with bellies I5I, disposed radially within the container and extending inwardly from the outer wall thereof. A series of radial baflles I52 is mounted within the container, these baffles lying between the respective baflles I5I and being spaced from the outer wall I50 as at I53. The foregoing bafiies are alternately spaced within the container to direct the flow of the substance to be treated in a circuitous path. repeatedly directing such substance to that portion of the container which is provided with the active rays. This device is provided with an inlet N11: for the substance to be treated and an outlet I01 for the substance after treatment.

A tube I54, of quartz or other suitable material, is disposed axially of the housing in contact with the inner ends of baffles I 52. Within this tube a source of ultra-violet rays, I55 is mounted so that rays therefrom are directed through the tube I54 to treat the substance flowing between the baffles. There does not result from the above treatment any over treatment of the surface of the substance in order'to provide proper treatment of the entire substance.

With reference to Figure 11, there is shown a construction in which a fewer number of baflles is used. These baflles are shown at I56 and are directed inwardly in a radial manner. Diametrically opposed outwardly projecting baiiles I51 are mounted within the casing and spaced from the exterior of the housing I50 as at I558.

The quartz enclosure I54 is similar to that shown in Figure 10 and the source of active rays is again indicated at I55. The inner ends of baflles I56 are flared outwardly as indicated at I56, a spacing I60 being provided between the cylindrical surfaces of the flared portions I59 and the enclosure I54. The foregoing structure causes portions of the substance treated to be exposed to the influence of the active rays over a relatively extended portion of the enclosure I54, such flow of the substance being desirable under certain conditions. This construction is equipped with an inlet i010 and an outlet I01.

It will be apparent, however, that the result attained by the foregoing constructions may be attained by providing a chamber in which a source of active rays is disposed, the substance to be treated being passed through such chamber one or more times until the desired treatment has been effected. For example, Figure 12 illustrates a chamber I60 within which a source of active rays I6I is mounted. A suitable enclosure I62 is mounted within the chamber I60 in a manner described hereinbefore and conduit I63 conducts the substance'away from the chamber and carries-it to a collecting tank I64. Pipe I65 introduces a substance into the chamber again, pump I66 providing a continuous flow. It will be readily apparent that the substance may be forced through the system one or more times until all portions thereof have been adequately .treated by the active rays, the portions treated at each successive stage being mixed with por-' tions not treated and the entire body of the substance thereby uniformly activated.

In irradiating with apparatus such as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 10, for example, it is evident that uniformity of the treatment ofthe surface of the layer is not always easy to accomplish. We have, therefore, provided in the device shown in Fig. 11 means, such as baflle mechanism, which not only enables the milk to be exposed to ultra violet rays free from substantial'mixing, but enables each exposure to be more uniformly effected over the surface of the layer being exposed. Such mechanism enables the time of exposure of all portions of the surface of any particular layer of substance to be accurately controlled and thus effect the control and consequently the result much higher degree of beneficial effect before injuring or spoiling the substance.

Figure 13 shows a system similar to that shown in Figure 12, a succession of chambe s I61 being provided, connected in tandem by pipes I68. The substance may be introduced into the chambers and carried away therefrom by means of pipes I69, the pump being used to circulate the substance as in Figure 12. 5 Figure 14 illustrates a system in which the substance to be treated is fed to the chambers I10 by means of a gravity feed system. Reservoirs I1I, disposed at a suitable elevation, are

connected with the chambers by means of pipes 10 films or layers in which the substance is presented are too thick for the rays to pass through them, with a result that in the normal operation of the device only the portion of the substance proximate the light source is treated and 25 that there is never any necessity to over-treat said proximate portion in an effort to properly treat the remote portion.

It will be apparent from the foregoing, that the depth of the material under, the baflle may 30 be varied in accordance with the characteristics of such material, the desired treatment thus being determined by the particular substance treated. A wide variety pf substances may be treated by means of the apparatus described here- 85 inbefore either gases, fluids, orsolids, as well as fluids with solids in suspension. For example, powdered substances may be blown through the chambers to effect the desired treatment thereof. In the marketing of orange juice, it is desirable to preserve some of the pulp in the juice since it contains valuable food value and has a great deal to do with the appearance of the products. The organisms attached to this pulp may be effectively sterilized by means of the apparatus described herein, since such particles of pulp repeatedly come under the influence of the active rays to effect the treatment thereof upon all sides.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that an apparatus has been provided for effectively treating substances with active rays. Not only is the apparatus of such character that all portions of the substance. are uniformly treated,v but the substance may be treated by selective radiation, such radiation being effected by selecting suitable filtering media for the intermediate chambers between the source of active rays and the substance treated. While the invention has been described with specific reference to the structure including the several modiflcations shown in the accompanying drawings,

it is not to be limited, save as defined in the appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. A device for treating substances with active rays comprising a chamber adapted to contain a substance to be treated, packing carried by a wall of the chamber, an enclosure for a source of active rays, a spaced reentrant portion formed on an end of the enclosure, and means to mount the reentrant portion in the packing outside the inner surface of the wall.

2. A device for treating substances with active rays comprising a chamber adapted to contain a substance to be treated, packing carried by a wall of the chamber, an enclosure for a source of active rays, 9. reentrant portion formed on an end of the enclosure and spaced from the outside surface thereof, and means to mount the reentrant portion in the packing with the inner end of the reentrant portion lying substantially in the plane of the inner side of the wall of the chamber.

3. A device for treating substances with active rays comprising a chamber adapted to contain a substance to be treated, packing carried in spaced walls of the chamber, an enclosure for a source of active rays, said enclosure being formed with reentrant cylindrical ends outside the enclosure and communicating with the chamber, and means to mount the reentrant ends in the pack- 4. A device for treating substances with active rays comprising a chamber adapted to contain a substance to be treated, an enclosure for a source of active rays, packingv carried by the chamber, means to mount the enclosure in the packing, a recess formed in the enclosure between the packing and the source, and a metallic shield in the recess.

5. A device for treating substances with active rays comprising a chamber adapted to contain a substance to be treated, an enclosure for a source of active rays, packing carried by the chamber, means to mount the enclosure in the packing, a recess formed in the enclosure between the packing and the source, and a protecting means in the recess.

6. A device for treating substances with active rays comprising a chamber adapted to contain a substance to be treated, an enclosure for a source of active rays, packing carried byv the chamber, a reentrant cylindrical portion on the enclosure spaced therefrom and communicating with the chamber, and means to mount the reentrant portion in the packing.

7. A device for treating substances with active rays comprising a chamber adapted to contain a substance to be treated, an enclosure for a source of active rays, packing carried by the chamber, means to mount the enclosure in the packing, and a recess formed in the enclosure between the packing and the source and communicating with the chamber.

8. A device for treating substances with active rays comprising a chamber adapted to contain a substance to be treated, an enclosure for a source of active rays, packing carried by the chamber, means to mount the enclosure in the packing, and a recess formed in the enclosure between the packing and the source.

9. A device for treating substances with active rays comprising a chamber adapted to contain a substance to be treated, an enclosure for a source of active rays, packing carried by the chamber, means to mount the enclosure in the packing, and means carried by the enclosure to protect the packing from the source.

10. A device for treating substances with active rays comprising a housing adapted to contain a substance to be treated, a tubular enclosure mounted in a wall of the housing, a supporting means carried by the wall, and a second enclosure carried by a supplemental wall mounted upon said housing and within the first enclosure, each of said enclosures having a closed end, said enclosures and walls forming a chamber isolated from said housing;

11. A device for treating substances with active rays comprising a housing adapted to contain a substance to be treated, a tubular enclosure mounted in a wall of the housing, a supporting plate carried by the wall and spaced therefrom,

a flange on the plate engaging the wall to form 5 a chamber between the wall and plate, a second enclosure carried by the plate and extending within the first enclosure to form a chamber communicating with the first chamber, and means to direct a fiow of a medium through the chambers.

12. A device for treating substances with active rays comprising a housing adapted to contain a substance to be treated, a tubular enclosure mounted in a wall of the housing, a supporting 15 plate carried by the wall and spaced therefrom, a flange on the plate engaging the wall to form a chamber between the wall and plate. and a second enclosure carried by the plate and ex-'- tending within the first enclosure.

13. A device for treating substances with active rays comprising a chamber adapted to contain a substance to be treated, packingcarried by a wall of the chamber, an enclosure for a source of active rays having a closed end, a spaced reentrant portion formed on the open end of the enclosure, and means to mount the reentrant portion in the packing outside the inner surface of the wall.

14. A device for treating substances with active rays comprising .a housing adapted to contain a substance to be treated, a tubular enclosure mounted in a wall of the housing and having a closed end, a supporting plate carried by the wall and spaced therefrom, a flange on the plate engaging the wall to form a chamber between the wall and plate, a second enclosure carried by the plate and extending within the first enclosure,-the end so extending being closed whereby a closed chamber is formed communicating with 40 the first chamber, and means to direct a fiow of a medium through the chambers.

15. A device for treating substances with active rays comprising a housing adapted to contain a substance to be treated, a tubular enclosure carried by the housing, supporting plates having cylindrical flanges engaging opposite sides of the housing, a tubular enclosure carried by the supporting plates and within the first enclosure, means located at one side of both enclosures and carried by one of the plates for introducing a medium within a chamber formed between the enclosures and between the housing and plates, and means carried by both plates for conducting the medium away from the chamber, said last mentioned means being connected to said chamber at points diametrically opposite said first mentioned means on the other side of said enclosures.

16. A device for treating substances with active rays comprising a housing adapted to contain a substance to be treated, a source of active rays therein, a chamber between the source and substance to be treated having an enlarged annular antechamber at each end thereof, means to introduce a medium into the chamber through 55 an antechamber, and a plurality of spaced means located at the opposite side of said antechambers to carry the medium away from said chamber and at the same time facilitate the circulation of said medium in passing through the chamber.

1'7. A device for treating substances with active rays comprising a housing adapted to contain a substance to be treated, a source of active rays therein, a chamber between the source and substance having an enlarged annular antechamber at each end thereof, means to introduce a medium into the chamber through an antechamber, and 'a plurality of means located at the opposite side of said antechambers to carry the medium away from said chamber and at the same time facilitate the circulation of said medium in passing through the chamber.

18. A device for treating substances with active rays comprisinga housing adapted to contain a substance to be treated, a source of active rays in said housing, an annular chamber open at each end and disposed between said source and substance, said chamber being formed by a pair of concentric tubes transparent to active rays and disposed around said source and forming annular openings at the ends thereof, chambers at each end of the annular chamber adapted to communicate respectively therewith through said annular openings, means for supporting each tube on the outside surface thereof without obstructing communication between the first mentioned chamber and said end chambers, and means for maintaining a filtering medium in said chamber.

19. A device for treating substances with active rays comprising a housing adapted to contain a substance to be treated, a source of active rays in said housing, an annular chamber open at each end and disposed between said source and substance, said chamber being formed by a. pair of concentric tubes transparent to active rays and disposed around said source and forming annular openings at the ends thereof, chambers at each end of the annular chamber adapted to communicate respectively therewith through said annular openingsmeans for supporting each tube on the outside surface thereof without obstructing communication between the first mentioned chamber and the end chambers, and means for circulating a fluid filtering medium in said chamber.

20. A device for treating substances with active rays comprising a chamber adapted to contain a. substance to be treated, an enclosure for a source of active rays, a baiiie extending from said enclosure toward the wall of said chamber,

baflle means extending from the wall of said chamber toward said enclosure, and enlarged extremities on the baflie means, said extremities having an extended surface adjacent the enclosure and parallel to the surface thereof, and said baflie and baffle means forming a mixing chamber for said substance substantially removed from the influence of rays emanating from said source.

21. A device for treating substances with active rays comprising a housing adapted to contain substances to be treated, a source 01' active rays in said housing, a plurality of concentric tubes transparent to said active rays and disposed around said source and forming an annular.

chamber having annular openings at the ends thereof, means communicating with said annular openings for circulating a fluid through said annular chamber, an independently removable means for supporting each tube through contact with only the outside surface thereof such that said tubes are adapted. to be removed from. said chamber one at a time without disturbing a remaining tube or tubes.

22. A device for treating substances with active rays comprising a housing adapted to conmounted in the opposite walls of the housing, and

a second enclosure located within the first enclosure and carried by supplemental walls mounted upon said housing whereby said second enclosure is adapted to be removed independently of said first enclosure, each of said enclosures having open ends, said enclosures, walls, and supplemental walls, forming a chamber isolated from said housing, and adapted to contain a filtering medium.

23. A device for treating substances with active rays comprising a housing adapted to contain substances to be treated, a source of active rays in said housing, a plurality of concentric tubes transparent to said active rays and disposed 5 around said source and forming an annular chamber having annular openings at the ends thereof, means communicating with said annular openings for circulating a fluid through said annular "within said enclosure, and an outer wall surchamber, and wholly independently removable 20 means for supporting each tube.

24. In a device for irradiating by means of ultra violet rays of a partially opaque substance capable of having beneficial and detrimental effects imparted thereto, an enclosure permeable 5 to ultra violet rays, a, source of ultra violet rays within said enclosure, and an outer wall surrounding said enclosure and forming with the latter a chamber through which the substance to be irradiated is adapted to be passed, in combination with mechanism within said chamber for successively exposing portions of said substance to said source of rays and mixing between exposures said treated portions of said substance with untreated portions thereof, said mechanism 5 comprising means cooperating with said enclosure for defining a plurality of separate restricted elongated paths through which the substance is 1 adapted to flow past and be exposed to said source of rays free from substantial mixing, and 40 g ultra violet rays of a partially opaque substance capable of having beneficial and detrimental effectsn imparted thereto, an enclosure permeable to ultraviolet rays, a source of ultraviolet rays 50 rounding said enclosure and forming with the latter a chamber through which the substance to be irradiated is adapted to be passed, in combination with mechanism for exposing portions of said substance to said rays and mixing said exposed portions with unexposed portions thereof, said mechanism comprising means substantially parallel to and cooperating with the outer surface of said enclosure for defining a plurality of separate restricted elongated paths through 60 which the substance is adapted to flow past and be exposed to said source of rays free from subpartments being substantially isolated by the tain a substance to be treated, a tubular enclosure first mentioned means from the influence of said rays, and means for forcing said substance through said chamber.

HARRY M. CREIGHTON.

EDWARD C. BERNDT. 

